The Understanding, the West End play delayed by the sudden death of Celia Johnson, is to go ahead after all. Producer Michael White has cast Joan Greenwood in the role Dame Celia was playing when she died after suffering a stroke on the eve of the official opening. Joan Greenwood will have had just one week to prepare by the time The Understanding starts playing previews at the Strand Theatre on May 7. The play, which also stars the veteran actor Sir Ralph Richardson, opens on May 11.